I returned to vibrant Mexico City and one of my favourite places — Xochimilco.

This place, often associated with parties, celebrations, and chaos, has a side that few people know — quieter and full of meaning: Arca Tierra.

In Xochimilco, one realises how Mexico City was built on an ancient swamp, and how this landscape still holds traces of that aquatic past through the chinampas — an ancestral farming system, unique in the world. These small islands of fertile land, raised by human hands over lakes and canals, are a living testimony of the deep relationship between humans and the environment — a method of cultivation that endures through time and modernity.

As you walk through the chinampas, you feel that each patch of earth carries centuries of knowledge and collective effort. Arca Tierra is more than a place where the land is farmed; it is a space where a community is cultivated — a way of life that respects natural balance and values collaborative work.

It was with the people of this project that I experienced the most striking moment of the visit. People with steady hands, who know the land well and understand the importance of preserving this heritage. Their commitment goes beyond farming — it is a form of resistance, a way of keeping traditions alive that ensure sustainability and the future.

My visit began before dawn, to witness the sunrise, and ended with a truly farm to table breakfast, fit for superheroes — full of flavour and substance, because agricultural work is tough and demanding, and calls for something that keeps you going.

For me, this experience was an invitation to reflect on the value of simple things, made with care and respect. A reminder that the land remains our starting point, that the future depends on how we treat it today, and that real food cannot be a luxury.

Arca Tierra showed me that, despite the challenges, it is possible to build paths that honour history and invest in continuity — an example that stays with you and inspires.

If you ever have the opportunity, don’t miss visiting this unique place — it will stay with you long after you’ve left.